Chapter 2: Investigation First Priorities

Chapter 3: Physical Evidence

Chapter 4: Interviewing Process

Chapter 5: Analyzing the Information

Chapter 6: Developing Recommendations

Chapter 7: Reporting Your Findings

Table of Contents

Investigation Concepts

• Incident Versus Accident
• Why Investigations Are Done
• Basic Causes of Incidents
  • Direct Cause
  • Indirect Cause
  • Root Cause
• Canada's Investigation Standard
  • Sequence of Events
  • Contributing Factors
  • Investigation Best Practices
• What to Investigate
  • Accident Pyramid
  • Incident Classification Systems
• What the Law Says
• Who Is Involved
• Pre-Planning for Investigations
• The Investigation Kit
• The Steps of an Investigation
• Accident Scene Checklist
• Accident Costs
• Accident Cost Calculations

Investigation First Priorities

• Step 1: A Prompt and Safe Arrival
• Step 2: Care for the Injured
• Step 3: Secure the Scene
  • Remote Sites
• Step 4: Identify Witnesses
  • Obtain Preliminary Statements
• Step 5: Comply With Reporting

Physical Evidence

• Step 6: Collecting Physical Evidence
  • What to Look For
  • Recording Your Observations
• 4 P’s of Evidence
  • Parts (Physical) Evidence
  • Position Evidence
  • Paper (Documentation) Evidence
  • Preserving Physical Evidence
• Physical Evidence Listing
• Evidence Handling and Storage

Interviewing Witnesses

• Step 7: Interview Witnesses
  • Who to Interview
  • When to Interview
  • How to Interview
  • Recording Witness Information
  • Information Recall
  • Helping Witnesses Remember
  • Evaluating the Interview
  • Body Language
  • Handling Specific People
• Interviewing - Preparation

Analyzing the Information

• Step 8: Analyze the Information
  • Basic Requirements
• Analytical Methods
  • 5W’s
  • ILCI
  • Events and Conditions Charting
  • Energy and Barrier Trace

Developing Recommendations

• Step 9: Develop Recommendations
  • S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Recommendations
• Recommendations Example

Reporting Your Findings

• Step 10: Report Your Findings
  • Section 1: Executive Summary
  • Section 2: Incident Description
  • Section 3: Analysis
  • Section 4: Recommendations
  • Appendices
  • Sharing Information